Combination support and bag



Dec. 17, 1957 M. M. ADAMS 2,816,599

COMBINATION SUPPORT AND BAG F'ile d Nov. 28, 1955 i a i 2 Sheets-Sheet l FILL} IN VEN TOR. MAQJOQY ADAMS.

ORNEY:

M. M. ADAMS 2,816,599 COMBINATION SUPPORT AND BAG Dec. 17, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 28, 1955 INVENTOR.

MA/eJom ADAMS.

ATfQQNEY United States Patent 2,816,599 Patented Dec. 17, 1957 hate COMBINATION SUPPORT AND BAG Marjory M. Adams, Laguna Beach, Calif.

Application November 28, 1955, Serial No. 549,233

3 Claims. (Cl. 155-153) This invention relates generally to beach equipment and more particularly to beach equipment which is adapted to serve as a support or back rest.

An object of the present invention is to provide a support device of improved construction embodying covering means for enwrapment of the user for protection against the wind and sun and for drying the user after a swim.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character above wherein the parts thereof are so constructed and arranged that the device is adapted to be folded easily and readily into compact form for ease of transportation and which, when folded, serves as a beach bag to carry sandals, articles of clothing, books, purses, et cetera, as the user may desire for comfort at the beach.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel form of beach equipment which is characterized by its simplicity of parts and construction, which is easily handled and manipulated, and which in use is effective, practical and convenient.

Other objects and features of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following specification and appended drawing illustrating a certain preferred embodiment in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a back rest embodying the present invention in folded condition suitable for ready transportation.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the present back rest in condition for transportation.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the frame or body of the present back rest.

Figure 4 is a view showing the frame and fabric carrier but with the toweling removed.

Figure 5 is a detail view illustrating the form of the connector devices employed in the present invention.

Figure 6 is another detail view showing an eyelet for receiving the connector of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view along line VII--VII of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating the present invention in a typical condition of use.

Figure 9 is a perspective View showing the present backrest with a portion of the toweling draped preparatory to folding of the back rest.

Figures 10-14 are views illustrating various stages in the folding of the back rest of this invention.

Figure is a perspective detail view of a connection used in the present invention.

Referring now with particularity to the drawings the device of the present invention is indicated therein in its entirety generally by the numeral 10. Device 10 is suited to a multiplicity of purposes, being adapted when in its collapsed or compact form to serve as a beach-bag or carrying case and when open or unfolded to act as a lounge affording a back rest or head rest to the user and further being suitable as a wind-break or a shelter means.

Device 10 embodies, generally, a frame 11, a fabric cover 12 of sheath. or bag-like form, and a sheet 13 of moisture absorbent material.

Frame 11 includes two hingedly interconnected support sections 14 and 15 which cooperate to effect a collapsible or folding structure, generally rectangular in form. Support section 14 is formed of suitable heavy wire stock appropriately bent, as shown, into a generally rectangular shape. Support section 15 also is formed of heavy wire stock shaped to effect an end portion 16 and two side portions 17 and 18. Support section 15 is hingedly or pivotally joined to or interconnected with support section 14 at the inner end portion 21 of section 14. This interconnection is effected in the present embodiment by an extension of side 17 which is bent about inner end portion 21 of section 14 into generally the form of an eye, as shown at 22. The wire stock is then disposed diagonally downwardly to the lower end portion 16 of section 14 to effect a brace 23, with brace 23 being connected to end portion 16 by an eye 24 at the end of brace 23. The opposite side 18 is pivotally connected to section 14 in like manner. An extension of side 18 is formed into eye 25 which hooks around inner end portion 21 of section 14 and which is then extended diagonally downwardly as a brace 26 to be hooked to lower end portion 16 of section 14 at eye 27 on the end of brace 26. A pair of stop elements 29 carried by the inner end portion 21 of section 14 maintains the eyes 22 and 25 spaced apart. It is noted that section 15 with its end it sides 17 and 18, braces 23 and 26, and eyes or hooks 22, 24, 25 and 27 are formed from a continuous length of wire stock. The present construction results in an effective pivotal or hinged connection between sections 14 and 15 and diagonal braces 23 and 26 provide desirable rigidity to the structure permitting it better to support the weight of the user without bending thereunder.

Carried upon frame 11 is the covering or bag 12 made of canvas or any suitable material as is usually employed in beach umbrellas, tents and the like. Covering 12 may be formed from a rectangular sheet of the desired material which sheet is suitably secured together, as by sewing, at its longer edges into the shape of an elongated sheath or cylinder. This elongated cylinder of fabric is stitched, or otherwise secured together, as at 28 transversely thereacross at substantially its mid-point to etfect two compartments 31 and 32 opening outwardly to the exterior at the opposite ends of the cylinder.

Compartment 31 receives support section 14, with the dimension of such compartment being such as to closely, but readily, fit such section 14 therewithin. The remainder of the fabric cylinder depends or extends free for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Figure 4 illustrates the bag 12 in fitted position on frame 11 but with the toweling 13 removed. To releasably maintain the fabric of compartment 31 fitted to support section 14 there is provided upon upper fabric end 33 a plurality of straps 34 which are suitably secured at one of their ends to fabric end 33 as by sewing. Each of the straps 34 is provided at its free end with a transverse connector portion 35 having a construction as shown in Figure 5. Provided in upper fabric end 33 for receiving transverse connector portions 35' are a plurality of eyelets 36 which may be of a construction as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. By insertion of connector portions 35 endwise through eyelets 36 and then returning them to normal transverse positions these connector portions 35 will be secured and will act to hold bag 12 in position as a jacket upon section 14.

Suitably secured, as by sewing, to the exterior of that portion of fabric bag 12 which defines inner compartment 31 is sheet 13 which preferably is of elongated, rectangular form and conveniently made of moisture absorbent cloth material such as toweling. Sheet 13 may be of sufiicient dimensions that the user can readily wrap himself therewithin and it may serve not only as a drying means but to protect the user against the sun and the wind. Sheet 13 includes a portion 37 which may be draped to hide both sections 14 and 15 of frame 11 when they are disposed angularly one to the other in operative position, as in Figure 8. If desired portion 37 can be brought forward and draped forwardly on section 14 to provide additional cushioning to the back or it could be draped over the head of the user if desired.

Wth the construction provided the present device can be readily folded into desired compact form for transportation. In this operation the sections 14 and 15 are first laid flat end to end upon the sand. The draping portion 37 is fitted or straightened upon the remainder of the toweling which is arranged in rectangular form. Sheet 13 may then be folded longitudinally generally along the lines 38 and 39, as in Figure into the form of Figure 11. Thereafter section is rotated about its pivotal connection to section 14 upon the toweling and the toweling folded from its lower end into a compact bundle. It is noted that after this folding of toweling 13 that the lower portion of bag 12 remains free. In the final step of the folding operation the free lower portion of bag 12 is carried upwardly to fit over the compact toweling and is releasably secured to frame 11 by a number of straps 41. Straps 41 are similar to straps 34, above described, and are carried by the upper end 33 of the bag fabric. These straps each include a connector portion 42; these connector portions 42 are adapted to be inserted through and cooperate with eyelets 43 afforded in the free portion of bag 12 which is carried upwardly. Connector portions 42 and eyelets 43 are of the same construction as previously stated in connection with straps 34.

An elongated strap 44 is carried by bag 12 and when the present device is in folded position it assists in holding the lower portion of bag 12 in desired position. Strap 44 as shown also includes, at one end, a connector portion 45, similar to connector portion 35 of strap 34, which may be fitted into to cooperate with one of the appropriately located eyelets 46 in the opposite end of the strap 44. Strap 44 serves, when the present device is in operative position with its support sections 14 and 15 angularly positioned, to prevent sections 14 and 15 from inadvertently spreading apart under the weight of the user. Strap 44 is of sufficient length that, as shown in Figure 4, it may extend from section 1.4- and be wrapped about the lower end 16 of section 14 and returned toward section 14 and thereafter the connector portion 45 may be inserted in one of the eyelets 46 provided in strap 44.

To permit ready transport of the present invention handle 47 of fabric may be provided at the upper end 33 of fabric bag 12.

The free, lower portion of fabric cylinder 12 which is fitted over the enfolded toweling 13 and held to frame 11 by straps 41 contains the compartment 32. Thus, there is afforded a readily accessible outside pocket which the user may employ to carry wearing apparel, bathing suits, and beach gear of various kinds.

As described, fabric cylinder 12 is maintained upon frame 11 by the various straps 34 and 44 and it is readily apparent that by freeing the connector portions thereof from their respective cooperating eyelets that the cylinder 12 may be readily slipped from frame 11. This may be done when it is desired to wash or clean the cylinder 12 and the toweling 13. It is to be understood that the A particular construction afforded the straps 34, 41 and 44 described herein form no part of the present invention, it is contemplated that any suitable means of holding the bag 12, and its parts, in place may be employed.

While a cerain preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto as many variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is to be given its broadest possible interpretation within the terms of the following claims:

What I claim is:

1. A structure of the character described comprising a collapsible frame, said frame including a pair of sections having a hinged connection and adapted to be positioned angularly one to the other to serve as a back rest, an elongated fabric sheath divided into compartments each opening to the exterior, one of said sections removably fitting within one of said compartments, the remaining of said fabric sheath depending from said frame, a sheet of moisture absorbent cloth material affixed to the fabric of said compartment receiving said section and adapted to be enfolded into compact form, said depending portion of said fabric sheath adapted to hold said absorbent material in enfolded condition, when said sections are in collapsed condition, and to serve as a pocket.

2. In a structure of the character described, a collapsible frame embodying hingedly interconnected support sections adapted to be positioned angularly one to the other to serve as a back rest, an elongated fabric element having a pair of compartments, each of which is open to the exterior at opposite ends of said fabric element, one of said support sections being removably fitted within one of said fabric compartments, the remainder of said fabric element containing the other compartment depending free of said fabric encased support section, a sheet of toweling affixed to said fabric element and adapted to be enfolded into compact form, said depending fabric adapted to be releasably secured to said frame, when collapsed, to retain said toweling in compact form.

3. A structure of the character described comprising a collapsible frame, said frame including a pair of pivotally interconnected sections and adapted to be positioned angularly one to the other to serve as a back rest, an elongated fabric covering having a compartment provided at at least one of the ends of said covering, said compartment opening to the exterior and removably receiving one of said sections, the remainder of said elongated fabric covering depending from said frame, a sheet of moisture absorbent cloth material affixed to the fabric of said compartment and adapted to be enfolded into compact form, and means for releasably securing said depending fabric to said frame, when collapsed, to retain said absorbent material in compact form.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 470,255 Petrie Mar. 8, 1892 1,605,679 McGrail Nov. 2, 1926 1,640,743 Yukasz Aug. 30, 1927 1,799,939 Wainwright et al. Apr. 7, 1931 2,270,598 Morgan Jan. 20, 1942 2,304,700 Manville Dec. 8, 1942 2,558,995 Tullis July 3, 1951 2,735,480 Mead Feb. 21, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 14,017 Australia July 31, 1934 

